This mod requires that you have Apple's Developer Tools installed.

First thing to do is edit the image to be used as the Login Panel background. You can create your own or download on of the images from our archive.

Location of image to replace: /System/Library/CoreServices/SecurityAgent/Contents/Resources
Image name: applelogo.tif
Image type: TIF
Image size: any size but I like to match the boot image size 472 x 362.

From the Finder click the 'Go' menu and select 'Go to Folder...' or use the keyboard shortcut, Apple Shift G.

Enter this path or use copy and paste:
/System/Library/CoreServices/SecurityAgent/Contents/Resources

Work on a Backup!
Copy the applelogo.tif out of this location to your desktop. Rename it applelogo.tif-off or applelogo.tif-backup or anything like that. Now copy it back to the Resources folder. You will be asked to Authenticate, enter your password you use to login with.

The next step is to create your login panel artwork, I like to use the boot panel image for continuity - you can use anything you like. The applelogo.tif is small, you could leave it this size it may not have the effect you have in mind. As you will find out later on, we use the applelogo.tif but change it's size and placement using the developer tools so it becomes a background image instead of just a logo.

Please note: your custom image will not work unless it is saved as a TIF; saving it as a PDF, JPEG or any other image format will not work!

Once you complete your edits drag the applelogo.tif from your desktop back to the Resources folder. You will be asked to Authenticate again, you may be asked to enter your password again...

Now it's time to edit the login nib using Interface Builder app from Apple's Developer's Tools.

Location of file to replace:
/System/Library/CoreServices/SecurityAgentPlugins/
loginwindow.bundle/Contents/Resources/English.lproj
File name: login.nib
File type: NIB

Use the 'Go to Folder...' command or copy and paste the path as noted above (the path was entered on this page as two lines to prevent side scrolling so you'll need to copy and paste each section to make a single line).

Change the following attributes...
X to zero,
Y to zero,
W becomes the width of your custom image,
H is the height of your custom image.

Be very careful to NOT change any connections found on other parts of the info palette or you will damage the login screen and you will be unable to login to your system.

Close the info palette and select 'Send to back' from the Layout menu.

You could change other elements and their positions while your are here, I leave it to you to discover how and what you can do to change position, size and text color - just be sure that all elements remain intact, don't delete anything!

Here's a pic of what my login edit looks like. Notice I changed the name and password text style and position as well as the location of some other elements and removed the well that surrounds the name and password fields.

Save your login.nib edits then copy login.nib back to the Resources folder. Once again, you'll need to Authenticate and enter your password.

Your Login Panel has now been replaced. If you followed all the steps you should see your new Login Panel image the next time you restart. If you don't, you may have missed something in the instructions.